Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in healthcare workers in England and Wales, 1999–2005

SUMMARYThis study used linked national tuberculosis (TB) and HIV surveillance data to investigate recent trends and factors associated with HIV co-infection (TB-HIV) in healthcare workers (HCWs) with TB in England and Wales. Methods applied were the χ2 trend test and logistic regression. Overall 14% (231/1627) of HCWs with TB were co-infected with HIV, increasing from 8% in 1999 to 14% in 2005 (P<0·001). Most (78%) HCWs were non-UK born and 74% of these developed TB ⩾2 years post-entry. Being born in Sub-Saharan Africa was an independent predictor for TB-HIV, especially for female HCWs (odds ratio 66·5, 95% confidence interval 16·3–271·1), who also had a lower median CD4 count than other co-infected women (106/mm3, interquartile range 40–200, P<0·01). Voluntary HIV testing of new HCWs should be encouraged as an opportunity for early diagnosis. Post-entry, a high index of clinical suspicion for TB in those most at risk remains important.

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Readiness of Sub-Saharan Africa Healthcare Systems for the New Pandemic, Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Journal of Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2018/9262395 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bernardo Nuche-Berenguer ◽

Linda E. Kupfer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Systems ◽

Diabetes Care ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Scale Up ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Care Health ◽

Sub Saharan

Background. Effective health systems are needed to care for the coming surge of diabetics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objective. We conducted a systematic review of literature to determine the capacity of SSA health systems to manage diabetes. Methodology. We used three different databases (Embase, Scopus, and PubMed) to search for studies, published from 2004 to 2017, on diabetes care in SSA. Results. Fifty-five articles met the inclusion criteria, covering the different aspects related to diabetes care such as availability of drugs and diagnostic tools, the capacity of healthcare workers, and the integration of diabetes care into HIV and TB platforms. Conclusion. Although chronic care health systems in SSA have developed significantly in the last decade, the capacity for managing diabetes remains in its infancy. We identified pilot projects to enhance these capacities. The scale-up of these pilot interventions and the integration of diabetes care into existing robust chronic disease platforms may be a feasible approach to begin to tackle the upcoming pandemic in diabetes. Nonetheless, much more work needs to be done to address the health system-wide deficiencies in diabetes care. More research is also needed to determine how to integrate diabetes care into the healthcare system in SSA.

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Science granting councils in Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends and tensions

Science and Public Policy ◽

10.1093/scipol/scz007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 620-631 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joanna Chataway ◽

Charlie Dobson ◽

Chux Daniels ◽

Rob Byrne ◽

Rebecca Hanlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regional Level ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Science Funding ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Low Levels ◽

Funding Support ◽

Cross Country ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Embedded Autonomy ◽

Republic Of Science

Abstract This article documents recent trends in science funding support in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We analyse these trends at the SSA regional level alongside a summary of four case studies of science funding in four Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in East Africa. Our findings support the literature on science funding in SSA regarding low levels of funding, cross-country engagement, and the need for capacity building. However, we also find there are tensions among funding and policy actors around the perceived ways in which investment in science will benefit society. We argue that the narratives and logics of science funders and their roots in ‘Republic of Science’ vs. ‘Embedded Autonomy’ rationales for SGC activity must be more transparent to enable critical engagement with the ideas being used to justify spending.

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Shortage of healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a nephrological perspective

Clinical Nephrology ◽

10.5414/cnp74s129 ◽

2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Naicker ◽

J.B. Eastwood ◽

J. Plange-Rhule ◽

R.C. Tutt

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Issues and Recent Trends in International Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa

International Social Science Journal ◽

10.1111/1468-2451.00267 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 52 (165) ◽

pp. 383-394 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Aderanti Adepoju

Keyword(s):

International Migration ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Sub Saharan

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Neurologic services in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case study among Zambian primary healthcare workers

Journal of the Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00132-6 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 200 (1-2) ◽

pp. 75-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Gretchen L. Birbeck ◽

Theodore Munsat

Keyword(s):

Primary Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Increasing Longevity and the New Demography of Death

International Journal of Population Research ◽

10.1155/2014/521523 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

George W. Leeson

Keyword(s):

20Th Century ◽

21St Century ◽

Population Level ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Global Level ◽

England And Wales ◽

Individual Level ◽

Life Expectancy At Birth ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Using Data

The world is ageing at both an individual and population levels and population ageing is truly a global phenomenon, the only notable region of exception being sub-Saharan Africa, which remains relatively young in demographic terms. At an individual level, life expectancies at birth have increased at the global level from 47 years in the mid-20th century to around 70 years today and are expected to rise to 76 years by the mid-21st century. At the population level, the proportion of the world’s population aged 60 years and over has increased from 8 percent in the mid-20th century to 12 percent, and by 2050, it is expected to reach 21 percent. In Europe, ageing has continued at a slower rate, but with the emergence of increasing numbers of centenarians. This paper outlines the transition using data from England and Wales from a demography of young death in the mid-19th century to a demography of survival in the 20th century and on to the new demography of old death in the 21st century. The paper provides evidence that it is likely that ages at death will continue to increase, with more and more people reaching extreme old age. At the same time, it is likely that life expectancies at birth will continue to rise, taking life expectancy at birth in England and Wales to 100 years or more by the end of the 21st century. The new 21st century demography of death will lead to annual numbers of deaths far in excess of previous maxima.

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Knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice of healthcare workers on infection control in a health facility in Akure, Nigeria

International Journal of Infection Control ◽

10.3396/ijic.v17.20818 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abiola O. Oluwagbemiga ◽

Shade J. Akinsete ◽

Godson R. Ana ◽

Olusola O. Ogunseye

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Water Source ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Hospital Infection Control ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: Infection control is pivotal in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), one of the leading causes of morbidity with growing prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: We investigated the knowledge, attitude and self-reported hygiene practices towards hospital infection control among healthcare workers (HCWs) at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involving self-administered, structured questionnaires administered to 137 randomly selected HCWs (19 doctors, 66 nurses and 52 health assistants) was conducted in 2015. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: Mean age of HCWs was 39.81 ± 8.69 years. Majority (84.7%) was trained on hand hygiene and was knowledgeable about HAIs (86.9%), modes of transmission (57.7%) and effectiveness of hand hygiene (94.9%). However, about half (48.9%) of the HCWs reported did not adhere to hand hygiene often, because of the distance between a water source and the wards. This study also showed that there are relationships between categories of respondents and their knowledge of routes of HAI transmission (P < 0.01) and practice of hand hygiene after contacts with hospital surfaces (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Hospital and hand hygiene can be improved by ensuring water supply located close to the wards. There is need for the provision of clear guidance on procedures for hospital hygiene and sanitation.

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Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Healthcare Workers in Dutse Metropolis Jigawa State, Nigeria

10.1101/327940 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

N.M. Sani ◽

I. Bitrus ◽

A.M. Sarki ◽

N.S. Mujahid

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Chromatographic Technique ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Care Workers ◽

Sub Saharan

AbstractHepatitis is one of the neglected infectious diseases in sub Saharan Africa and most of the available data is based on blood donors. Health care workers (HCWs) often get infected as a result of their close contact with patients. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among this group of professionals with a view to improving the quality of care to their patients. Hepatitis B and C infections pose a major public health problem worldwide. While infection is highest in the developing world particularly Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare workers are at higher risk of acquiring blood-borne viral infections, particularly Hepatitis B and C which are mostly asymptomatic. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C infections and associated risk factors among health care workers in Dutse Metropolis, Jigawa State - Nigeria. A standard rapid immuno-chromatographic technique i.e. rapid ELISA was used to screen all sera for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C viral antibody (HCVAb) respectively. Strips containing coated antibodies and antigens to HBV and HCV respectively were removed from the foil. Strips were labeled according to samples. Using a separate disposable pipette, 2 drops of the sample (plasma) were added into each test strip and allowed to run across the absorbent pad. Results were read after 15 minutes. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in 100 healthcare workers was determined by testing the plasma collected from the clients during their normal checkup using HBsAg and HCVAb test strips. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using chi-square test. The prevalence of HBV among HCWs was 19 out of 100 (19.0%) and that of HCV was 5 out of 100 (5.0%) where in both cases, higher prevalence was observed among female nurses. It was also observed that all HCV positive cases were recorded among nurses only. The study revealed that nurses are at greater risk of contracting HBV and HCV due to their frequent contact with patients. It is therefore recommended that effective vaccination and other infection control measures be encouraged among healthcare workers.

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